Visitors looking for romantic seclusion in a back-to-nature atmosphere
can find it at two rustic yet elegant North Georgia resorts. Less
than ninety minutes from Atlanta, the Glen-Ella Springs Inn near Clarkesville offers sixteen rooms overlooking a swimming
pool and gorgeous garden. The Inn, built more than one hundred
years ago as a home, later catered to travelers in search of a
nineteenth century spa experience at the local mineral springs.
Lovingly restored and reopened
in 1987, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and has won widespread acclaim for its cuisine, featured in Southern
Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Atlanta Magazine, and is
listed as one of Travel and Leisures Top Ten Getaways.

The Inns Penthouse room features a king four-poster bed,
heart pine paneling, a private balcony and fine antiques, along
with a beautiful view of the propertys seventeen acres.

Two suites offer whirlpool baths, a sitting room and gas log fireplaces.
A six-bedroom golf villa includes two common areas with full kitchens.
Guests staying in the golf villa enjoy complimentary playing privileges
on The Orchard golf course nearby.

Rooms at the Inn open onto common porches replete with rocking
chairs. Breakfast, included in the room rate, is served outdoors,
weather permitting, on a terrace overlooking the gardens. Feeders
scattered around the grounds are popular with migrating birds,
who are in turn popular with Glen, the Inns nearly-spherical
tabby cat.

The property includes a mountain creek and hiking trails. Nearby
activities include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, shopping
in the areas antique shops, golf, trout fishing and enjoying
the scenery.

The
Inn is open for dinner most evenings by reservation. The menu includes herbed mountain trout, rack of lamb,
and shrimp over grits. During my visit, we enjoyed a bountiful
breakfast including trout cakes, homemade granola, biscuits and
terrific peach preserves.

The Inns garden, with its rustic mountain laurel gazebo,
is a popular spot for weddings. Up to 175 guests can be accommodated
for ceremonies and receptions featuring anything from barbecue
to a gourmet dinner.

West
of Clarkesville, near the nouveau-Alpine village of Helen, The
Lodge at Smithgall Woods nestles amid 5600 acres of woodlands.
Originally a compound of five luxury cottages created by wealthy
conservationist Charles Smithgall for himself and his friends,
today The Lodge comprises part of the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek
Conservation Area, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources. Dukes Creek, one of the finest trout streams in the
country, meanders through its grounds.

The Lodge accommodates
up to 28 guests in the rustic elegance of a private mountain estate.
Gourmet meals, included in the room rates, are served family-style
in Smithgall Cottages airy dining room overlooking the creek.
Chef Mac Parks specialty is fresh mountain trout, which
is served daily. The Lodges gardens provide fresh herbs,
vegetables and flowers. During my visit, dinner was enhanced by
wines from North Georgia vineyards.

Activities here include hiking to beautiful Dukes Creek Falls,
observing wildlife, fishing, and listening to naturalist Pete
Griffin, an entertaining musician and storyteller. Special programs
on wildflowers and mushrooms are presented by visiting experts.
A primitive cabin, transported here from its original site at
nearby Unicoi Park, is the setting for Fireside Chats on everything
from moonshining to making musical instruments.

Weddings at The Lodge at Smithgall Woods emphasize the beauty
of the natural setting and the cozy elegance of the accommodations.
Receptions take place outside on the spacious deck overlooking
the creek, or in the Smithgall Cottage great room with its stone
fireplace. Menus and other arrangements are custom-tailored for
each occasion. Groups up to 100 can be accommodated for receptions
and parties, and fourteen private guestrooms are available. The
Lodges wedding specialist can assist in selecting florists,
musicians and photographers.

Rates at The Lodge at Smithgall Woods range from $289-399 doubles
per night including all meals. For more information, check the
website.

This
area of North Georgia provides a wealth of attractions. The Georgia
Wine Trail runs through here. During our stay we enjoyed sampling
wines from Tiger Mountain, Frogtown Cellars, and Wolf Mountain
Vineyards, as well as a tour and tasting at Dahlonegas Three
Sisters Vineyards, site of the Georgia Wine Country Festival each
June. Shopping opportunities include the chance to browse folk
art in the town of Claytons Main Street Gallery (photoright), handmade furniture at Timpson Creek Art Gallery
and Millworks, and pottery at Clarkesvilles Hickory Flat
Pottery, the working studio and home of potter Cindy Angliss.

Kathie
Farnell and Jack Purser are based in Alabama and have been doing
travel writing and photography since the early 90s. Their favorite
topics include nature travel, romantic destinations, weekend getaways
and offbeat topics. They both come from a legal background; Jack
was an attorney for the US Department of Agriculture, and Kathie
founded Farnell Legal Research. Kathie also produces programming
for public television and radio. kfarnel@gulftel.com, www.artemismedia.org